Egg prices plunge below cost: Smallholders demand government probe into dumping

Prachachat•Economy•266d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai small-scale egg farmers are facing severe financial losses and potential business closure due to major farms and wholesalers artificially driving down prices below production cost.

•Small-scale egg farmers in central Thailand are experiencing significant financial losses.
•Large farms and wholesalers are alleged to be dumping eggs below cost, distorting market prices.
•Increased production costs, including for disease prevention, are exacerbating the farmers' financial strain.
•The farmers are urging the government to investigate the market manipulation and provide assistance.
•A prolonged period of losses could threaten the stability of egg production and national food security.

Overview

•The price of eggs in Thailand has been continuously declining.
•This decline is attributed to large farms and middlemen allegedly dumping eggs below cost.
•Small-scale farmers are suffering substantial losses, with production costs averaging 3.22 baht per egg, while selling prices are even lower than the announced 3.20 baht.
•Payow Arikul, President of the Central Small-Scale Layer Farmers' Trade Association, stated that farmers are losing money daily.
•Increased expenses for biosecurity measures, such as disinfectants and farm fencing, are due to the risk of bird flu outbreaks in neighboring countries.
•The association is urging the government to urgently investigate large farms and major egg traders suspected of price dumping.
•Payow Arikul warned that prolonged losses may force farmers out of business, impacting national food security.
•The association is cooperating with farms to follow guidelines for culling laying hens at the designated age (78-80 weeks) to balance supply and demand.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Payow Arikul

"Although the announced price for mixed eggs is already quite low at 3.20 baht per egg, farmers are actually selling them for 20-30 satang below the announced price, while the average production cost is 3.22 baht per egg, causing farmers to lose money every day they sell eggs."

แม้ราคาประกาศไข่ไก่คละจะอยู่ที่ฟองละ 3.20 บาท ซึ่งเป็นราคาที่ค่อนข้างต่ำอยู่แล้ว แต่เกษตรกรกลับขายจริงได้ต่ำกว่าราคาประกาศถึง 20-30 สตางค์ต่อฟอง ขณะที่ต้นทุนการผลิตเฉลี่ยอยู่ที่ 3.22 บาทต่อฟอง ทำให้ผู้เลี้ยงต้องขาดทุนทุกวันที่ขายไข่

Payow Arikul

"If farmers have to endure losses for a long time, they may be forced to stop raising chickens, which will affect production stability and long-term food security."

หากเกษตรกรต้องทนขาดทุนเป็นเวลานาน อาจจำเป็นต้องเลิกเลี้ยง ซึ่งจะกระทบต่อเสถียรภาพการผลิตและความมั่นคงทางอาหารในระยะยาว

Key Entities

Person

Payow Arikul(นางพเยาว์ อริกุล)

President of the Central Small-Scale Layer Farmers' Trade Association, who is speaking out about the crisis facing small egg farmers.

Organization

Central Small-Scale Layer Farmers' Trade Association(สมาคมการค้าผู้เลี้ยงไก่ไข่รายย่อยภาคกลาง)

An association representing small-scale egg farmers in central Thailand, advocating for their rights and highlighting their economic difficulties.

Egg Board (Committee for the Development of Laying Hens and Products)(คณะกรรมการนโยบายพัฒนาไก่ไข่และผลิตภัณฑ์ (Egg Board))

A committee that has made decisions regarding the development of laying hens and their products, including approving the quota for parent chickens.